We have had a contribution of £6,250 towards the stone staircase, received a total of £2,200 towards the stone window sill and steel shutter in Lady Henrietta’s Dressing Room and the bench seat outside was funded by a key refreshment team volunteer - see page 13. There were a number of smaller donations. Separately from the Wish List, we received £40,000 towards the continued reinstatement work in the State Hall. We received £6,250 plus £1000 towards the replacement of stonework on the east pediment. A legacy of £10,000 was also received for the stone staircase from Steve McManus who sadly died last year. We are deeply grateful for these contributions towards our great task.

WISH LIST

Mansion

Structural work to a Dining Room window opening

£1,700

Wintergarden

Reconstruction of dislodged outer stonework around lily pond

£2,200

Terraces

Second length of balustrade

£5,000

Walled Garden

Underpin east wall of Walled Kitchen Garden

£3,000

Walled Garden

Restoration of copings to south wall

£1,400

Walled Garden

Purchase of timber for edging to garden beds

£500

Mansion

Contribution to the new stonework to pediment

£2,200

Mansion

Six panel hardwood door for Drawing Room

£2,500

Gardens

Contribution towards the further stabilisation of the Elizabethan ruin

£2,600

Wintergarden

Contribution towards stonework to southwest corner

£2,500

Wing

Track lighting for an Exhibition Room

£2,250

Wing

Lighting for new stairs

£450

Wing

Contribution towards the glazed roof of the Lightwell

£2,000

Any donation to any of the above would be gratefully accepted.

WINTER TASK LIST

Rather than only suggest to potential volunteers that they come and generally assist at Copped Hall, we have come to the view that we should define exactly what task it is that needs attention. In a sense we have two kinds of volunteers – those that contribute in all sort of ways across the project and those that come up to Copped Hall for specific tasks – usually because they have only limited time to spare.

In the last newsletter we mentioned a few specific tasks that needed attention. All of these have attracted volunteers to manage them - which is very encouraging. Set out below is a selection of specific tasks that are in need of adoption. A more comprehensive list is available.

Bed beside the Causeway on the South Lower Terrace. This bed has been planted but has become overgrown and requires bringing back to order by an experienced gardener.

Yew hedge in South Front Garden. This is fully-grown but needs to be accurately trimmed. There is an electrical socket nearby to enable an electric hedge cutter to be used.

Yew hedge adjacent to entry point to gardens. This is also fully grown and stepped. An electric hedge cutter could be used but we will need a long extension cable.

Eastern bed on the South Lower Terrace. This bed needs extensive weed removal andplanting with plants according to a prescribed plan and then regularly maintaine